Not so in Holderness, where a 2-mile walk on the Old Bridle Path leads to a rocky plateau atop West Rattlesnake Mountain.

And down below, spread out like a gentle painting, lies Squam Lake, where Jane Fonda tried to mend old wounds with her father, played by her real dad, Henry Fonda, in On Golden Pond.

The lake cuts through lush green landscapes on the mainland and islands, resembling pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that have yet to be fitted together.

The beauty here, beyond the natural setting, is the minimal effort needed to reach the spot.

The trail, about 10 miles from Interstate 93’s Exit 24, begins from a parking lot a few yards off Route 113, a winding, secluded road. Long wooden steps greet you at the start, followed by a rocky dirt path beneath tree branches that block the sky.

Don’t let the name of the mountain fool you; there are no venomous creatures slithering along the trail or hiding in the woods. There are, however, mosquitoes – lots of them – and they had a nice lunch, snacking on the photo editor and me during our midafternoon hike, so bug spray is highly recommended.

And some caution while walking is needed because of the thick, sturdy roots that line the ground like, well, rattlesnakes.

But within a half hour, you’re at the top, where last week we found George Andrews, a 64-year-old retiree who moved to Hebron from Connecticut last summer with his wife “because this is retirement heaven. Also because of the taxes and politics in Connecticut.”

If you’re looking for a light bite, sandwich platter or summer treat before hiking up West Rattlesnake Mountain, stop at the Dipsy Doodle Dairy Barn off Interstate 93, Exit 19, on Route 132 in Northfield. Whether it’s a burger and fries, seafood, salad or an old-fashioned ice cream cone, Dipsy will give you the energy needed to tackle Rattlesnake. Just …